The poll showed a narrowing of Labour's lead over the Tories to 34% versus 32% - the smallest gap for almost two-and-a-half years in ComRes online research.

Ukip and the Liberal Democrats shed a point each to stand at 18% and 7%.

Religious freedom was named by only 12% of voters as one of the most important "British values" - after Mr Gove pledged they would be promoted in the classroom in the wake of the "Trojan Horse" controversy.

The most chosen was freedom of speech (48%) followed by respect for the rule of law (34%), fairness (27%), tolerance (27%), a sense of humour (26%), equality (24%), politeness (22%), political freedom (20%) and responsibility (14%).

Aspiration - often cited by political leaders as a fundamental British value - was picked by only 3%.